Choosing seeds for winter sowing is easy once you know what to look for. There are tons that will work, but there are also many that will not. In this post, I will show you exactly how to figure out the best ones to use, and the types to avoid.
The reason it is so important to choose the right type of seed to use for winter sowing is because some will work great, while others will only rot.
But don’t worry, you just have to understand a few simple things to get it right. I’m going to break it all down for you below.
How To Choose The Best Seeds For Winter Sowing
Generally speaking, perennial seeds, and cold weather vegetables, as well as hardy annual flowers and herbs will work great for winter sowing.
If you’re unsure whether specific types will work or not, then read the packet and look for these keywords…
- “self sowing”
- “direct sow outside in the fall”
- “direct sow outside in early spring”
- “cold stratification”
- “cold hardy”
- “perennial”
Related Post: When To Start Winter Sowing Your Seeds
Winter Sowing Seed Lists
Below you will find a few lists with examples of some of the best seeds for winter sowing, sorted by type. Of course, this isn’t meant to be an “all-inclusive” list.
This is just a small sample of ones that have worked for me, and should help give you an idea of the types to try for yourself.
Annuals
- Calendula
- Celosia
- Cosmos (I like Sea Shells and Psyche White)
- Datura
- Lavatera
- Marigold (Crackerjack and French are my favs)
- Morning glory
- Petunia
- Snapdragon (Night and Day Snapdragon is gorgeous)
- Sunflower (this dark red mix is my favorite)
Related Post: How To Prepare Containers For Winter Sowing
Perennials
- Black eyed Susan
- Butterfly weed
- Cone flowers
- Gaillardia
- Liatris
- Poppies
- Rudbeckia
Here’s a great mix of flowers that would be excellent seeds for winter sowing.
Vegetables
- Arugula
- Broccoli (this variety did amazing in my garden this year)
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower (I love this blend of heirloom varieties)
- Collard greens (this is the variety I grow every year)
- Endive
- Kale (I love Chinese Kale and Red Kale)
- Leeks
- Lettuce (I love Garnet Rose, Red Velvet and Mesclun Medley)
- Mache
- Bac choy
- Radicchio (Palla Rossa Mavrik is lovely)
- Radish
- Spinach
- Swiss chard (Bright Lights Swiss Chard is a must for amazing color)
- Kohlrabi (Purple Kohlrabi adds wonderful color to the garden)
This mix of veggies would be perfect if you’re just getting started.
Herbs
- Chives (both regular chives and garlic chives are a must in my garden)
- Cilantro
- Dill
- Anise hyssop
- Lavender
- Mustard (Mustard Red Giant is a must)
- Oregano
- Parsley (this is my favorite)
- Peppermint
- Sage
- Salsify
- Summer Savory
- Chamomile
Related Post: Winter Sowing Questions & Answers (FAQs)
Once you start experimenting, and seeing the similarities in the different types of seeds you can use for winter sowing, you’ll easily be able to figure out which ones to try in the future.
Do you want to learn even more? My Winter Sowing eBook would be perfect for you. It will teach you everything you need to know about how to winter sow. Download your copy today!
If you want to learn how to start all of your seeds, and mix the different methods to easily grow anything you want, then my Seed Starting Course is just what you need. It’s an in-depth training that will teach you exactly how to grow any type of seed so that you can save tons of money every year on garden plants. Enroll in the course and get started today!
More Information About Winter Sowing
- How To Clean Winter Sowing Containers For Reuse
- Winter Sowing Containers: What Works & What Doesn’t
- Tips For Winter Sowing During A Mild Winter
- Choosing The Best Soil For Winter Sowing
Share your favorite seeds for winter sowing in the comments section below.
Sue says
Hi Amy,
It seems I have read that not all seeds can be done with winter sowing… so if I didn’t start things in February, when can I do more… and what (it’s March 21st)? I think I have about 30 containers and I have marigolds, nasturtiums, cosmos, a few kinds of herbs, morning glory, snapdragon, moon flower, zinnia, coreopsis, lobelia. I have no idea if they will all work… but fun trying. I want to do alyssum, impatiens… and I think there were more. Anyway, I’m just not sure about the timing. Thanks! Sue
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes that’s right, not all types of seeds will work with the winter sowing method. Now would be a great time to start the alyssum, snapdragons, morning glories and moon flowers. I haven’t tried all of the seeds you have listed, but I would wait until April for the zinnia and impatiens. It does depend on where you live though. I’m in MN, and it’s still freezing here in March. If you live somewhere warmer where spring has already arrived, then you should be safe to start the others.
Linda Heaster says
Hi Amy,
I have a solar shed in zone 6, when would I start perennials, vegetables? When the sun is out it is in the 50’s inside. i am also trying winter sowing in milk containers.
Amy Andrychowicz says
I’m not familiar with a solar shed, so I’m not sure exactly. I would think that you could start perennial seeds anytime now. As for veggie seeds… it depends. You could probably start the frost hardy ones now, but definitely wait until it stays above freezing for the warm weather ones.
This will help you answer your questions about winter sowing… When To Start Winter Sowing Your Seeds
Peggy says
Thanks for bringing up the idea again of winter sowing. I would like to try that this year. Does it work with your warm weather crops as well such as tomatoes and peppers?
Amy Andrychowicz says
It depends on where you live. Lots of people winter sow warm weather crops, and have great success. Here in Minnesota, I have experimented with them and have had mixed success. Since tomatoes and peppers need a longer growing season, it works better for me to start them indoors rather than winter sow them. If you live in a warmer zone (6-7), you will have better success than I do here in z4.
Penny Barrett says
I couldn’t agree more!! I am in zone 3 to 4
CT Garden Gal says
I’m in zone 5 and winter sow my peppers, tomatoes, eggplant and all my veggies using this method.
Jessie says
Hi there! I am winter sowing for the first year. I have 26 containers so far. Hollyhock, columbine, mexican butterfly weed, flowering almond, canterbury bells, rocky mountain penstemon, foxglove and primrose! Right now they are frozen. 🙂
Amy Andrychowicz says
LOL, isn’t if funny to think of those seeds growing after they’ve been frozen solid for so long! Looks like you have winter sown a great selection of seeds there, hope they will all grow great for you!
Jen says
Hello, I am a fellow Twin Cities (new) gardener and found your site while researching winter sowing. Starting my first containers this week. Have you tried WS onions or alpine strawberries? Thanks for sharing your stories Amy!
Amy Andrychowicz says
I have winter sown onions, and they do great. I haven’t tried strawberries, but they should work since they are cold hardy perennials. Let me know how it goes for you.
Robin Darnell says
I’m new to this site. I have never wintersowed but I am very curious especially about the kinds of seeds that can be wintersown. So thank you for this article and list of seeds to try!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Great, hope you’ll give it a try! There are tons of different types of seeds you can use for winter sowing, this list is just a starting point. Take a quick read through the other comments if you haven’t already, there are more seeds that others have listed that you could try too.
Lady Bug says
Been busy winter sowing more containers this week… Rocket Larkspur and Blue Flax. I enjoy following your blog and seeing what another fellow Minnesotan is up to in the gardening world.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Woohoo, glad to hear you’ve been busy winter sowing your seeds here in MN. Have fun!
Lady Bug says
I have sprouts already!!! Doing the happy dance! Sowed more containers too… wallflower, larkspur, foxglove, black bachelor button, coreopsis, forget-me-not, early charm aster, sweet william, dianthus.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Awesome, I’m so excited for you! I think it’s safe to say that you’re addicted to winter sowing, LOL!
snarky_harpy says
This is my first year wintersowing, and so far I have six containers. So far, it’s various columbines and some “Watchman” hollyhocks. I’m curious to try a lot of other things, though. I’m in zone 4a/5b, depending on the map.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Awesome start so far! Yes, there are so many different types of seeds you could try ws-ing. Have fun experimenting!
Margis says
I’m in zone 4. I am going to try winter sowing tomatoes. I have read a lot of articles and it appears there are mixed feelings about WS tomatoes. I want a lot so I can preserve them.
Amy Andrychowicz says
I am also in zone 4, Minnesota. I have mixed feelings about winter sowing tomatoes too. Last year we had a very cold spring, and it took forever for the seeds to germinate, and some just rotted. The ones that did grow didn’t have enough time to get large enough before transplanting. I would recommend experimenting with them, but also starting some indoors like you normally would. That way, you won’t be at a loss if the WSing doesn’t go well. I think people in warmer zones have better results with winter sowing tomatoes.
Suzie says
I’m fairly new at this, having winter sown only for 2 years, this being my 3rd. I was wondering if you’ve winter sown hot peppers before, and have your efforts been successful? I’ve found hot peppers to be somewhat finicky (and I don’t even bother with sweet peppers), in terms of germination. Also, what about cucs/squash – have they worked for you? Thanks for your help!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, I have winter sown all kinds of peppers before, cayenne, casabella, jalapeño, and lemon drop to name a few. You’re right, the hot peppers definitely do better with winter sowing than the sweet and milder ones. If you have a few extra seeds left over after planting stuff indoors, throw them into winter sowing containers to see what happens. If nothing else, it’s fun to experiment.
As for the cucumbers and squash… they have also done very well for me. But definitely wait to start those until spring (March/April here in MN), otherwise those larger seeds will just rot in the freezing cold. Also, the seedlings don’t love to be transplanted, so it can take a little bit for them to recover afterward. Since they are such fast growing seeds, you may decide that it’s just easier to plant them directly into your garden, rather than winter sowing them.
Michele says
We are planning on winter sowing big sunflowers in hopes of doing a “sunflower forest” for the kids. Last year, critters dug up and ate all the seeds we direct seeded. I was thinking of doing 1-2 seeds in big plastic cups instead of a bunch in the jugs for easier planting. How well do they transplant? Interested in doing carrots, maybe we should w/s those instead of waiting to direct seed. Here in Chicagoland, ours barely matured before winter hit! In fact, I’m sure there’s still some in the ground. LOL! We got tired of waiting on a harvest! Regards, Michele
Amy Andrychowicz says
I’ve had great success winter sowing sunflower seeds. As soon as they germinate, take the lids off the containers, and make sure they seedlings are in the full sun. They grow leggy pretty fast if they don’t get full sun.
Though carrots would work great with the winter sowing method, they do not transplant well. So I recommend direct sowing them seeds as soon as the soil is workable in your garden, rather than winter sowing them.
Michele says
Thanks Amy, those are great tips. So glad to hear the winter sown sunflowers did well. Maybe I will do them in jugs instead, so I can open and move them a little easier. I was thinking we may try w/s the carrots in a deep plastic container and try it as a container garden.
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome! As long as the w/s container is deep enough, and you don’t transplant them, the carrots should grow just fine.
Michele says
What about green beans? I’ve read that they don’t like to be transplanted, but maybe that’s not the strong winter sown ones?
Amy Andrychowicz says
You are correct, beans do not like to be transplanted, it can stunt their growth. Plus, green beans will usually only rot if you try winter sowing them, unless you wait until it gets warmer in the spring. So it’s not really worth it. I’ve always just planted them directly into the garden, since they grow so fast anyway.
Sissy says
Amy, I thought you couldn’t wintersow sunflowers? Someone on the GardenWeb said they would rot??? I did more containers today, but not the warm weather annuals.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Sunflowers sow themselves in my garden like they are weeds. That’s why I tried winter sowing them in the first place, and I have had great success. LOL! Maybe it depends on the type of sunflower? I’m not sure. But if you’re concerned about them rotting, then I would wait to winter sow them until late winter or very early spring.
Michele says
I have sprouts in my containers! So far, the following winter sown seeds have germinated… sweet william, lamb’s ear, leaf lettuce, foxglove, liatris, dianthus, and salvia. There also looks to be some buldging seeds about ready to germinate in a few other containers too… hibiscus, columbine and obedient plant.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Woohoo! That is so exciting! Congrats!
MarieZ says
I’ve been winter sowing lots of extra flowers for friends this year. Pretty thin on veggies though, have to get busy on that. Also lots and lots of herbs, including catnip for the kitties. Thanks for the list of seeds to try, I’m on it! 😉
Marie
Amy Andrychowicz says
Sounds like you’re going to have an excellent selection of winter sown seedlings come spring! Great job! You’re welcome.
Bridget says
This is a great list. I’ve had luck with nasturtium for winter sowing.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Thanks! Nasturtium? Interesting. I haven’t tried winter sowing those seeds before. I figured that since they aren’t hardy, the seeds would only rot. Plus they hate being transplanted, so I always just direct sow them in the spring. Do you live in a mild climate, or did you winter sow the seeds in a cold climate like where I live in Minnesota?
Brigit says
Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge! This is especially valuable for me living in Ontario (Zone 4-5) since I wondered if winter sowing is only for milder winters. But Minnesota and Ontario sure can’t claim to have mild winters! Good luck for this season! I’m curious to know when you’ll start this year.
Amy Andrychowicz says
LOL, we sure can’t claim to have mild winters! Though some aren’t as bad as others. This year I think I’ll wait until February. I have a lot of travel plans coming up, so it’s going to be a busy January. 🙂
Brigit says
Oh traveling sounds exciting! We had a bit of a warm spell today so working in the garage was possible. I’ve prepared 10 water jugs (Mache, Lupins, Poppies, Early Onions, Swiss Chard, Parsley, Chives, Thyme, Sage) and thrown them on the lawn in my future vegetable garden area. Waiting another month now to start bush beans, golden beets, Kohlrabi and maybe another round of Mache and Onions since I am not sure if the early sowing will survive…
Amy Andrychowicz says
Awesome, sounds like a great start! I would wait until it gets warmer to winter sow the bean seeds though, they will only rot if you plant them when it’s still freezing outside. I start them in winter sowing containers in April or early May (usually 2-3 weeks before I could direct sow them). Beans and other large, warm weather vegetables don’t work if you winter sow them early, only the cold hardy one will work. All the rest of the seeds you have listed should work great. 🙂
Carmen Ross says
im trying to look for that zoning im in Arizona, i started winter sowing 2 wks ago.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Humm.. sorry, but I’m not sure what you mean. Are you trying to figure out what growing zone you’re in?
Kathy says
Hey, thanks so much for an alternative to indoor sowing. Living in South Texas, this should work great for getting an early start this year plus not having space taken up in my home is even better.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, winter sowing makes it so nice to be able to keep all of the seeds outside.